Google Glass, iBeacon: Westpac's New Tech Toys

The banking major's New Zealand operation will trial its Cash Tank app on Google Glass, this month.

The app allows customers to check balances by pressing a button on their iPhone, Androids or Sony SmartWatch.

Unlike internet banking you don't have to log-in every time to the app.

And your balance is....

Google Glass is not yet on sale but the banking app should be fully functional on the wearable device, once it becomes available.

"By the end of this year our customers will be able to walk into a shop wearing their Google Glasses, see something they like and instantly check their bank balance which will be displayed in their peripheral vision," says Westpac NZ's Chief Digital Officer Simon Pomeroy.

In the future, Cash Tank app users will be able to transfer between their bank accounts, receive account alerts and also find the nearest ATM or branch.

Westpac NZ also plans to trial iBeacon in selected branches by the end of February.

Apple's iBeacon technology alerts customers to offers via an iOS device when they are in or walk past a shop that is using the technology.

It also alerts staff that a customer has arrived for a pre-ordered item, which could hurry up queuing times or if a store they are in has an item from their digital shopping list.

"This is an opportunity to add another dimension to customer service," Pomeroy said.

"Digital innovation is unfolding around the world at an incredible pace and we're focused on making it available to our customers to make things easier and faster for them. These are exciting times."